Board game, based on chess, using a radial board

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a gameboard apparatus, a gameboard method of play, and a method of gamepiece movement, for two players. The gameboard consists of one hundred and twenty spaces, distributed in a radial pattern, and having a generally round shape. The game is played using thirty-two game pieces, representing a standard set of chess pieces. Eighteen of the thirty-two pieces are place on the board at the start of the game, while the remaining fourteen pieces are gradually brought into play. The object of the game is to move the “king” piece into one of four designated spaces and win the game. The general direction of play is that one player starts from the inside and moves outward, while the other player starts from the outside and moves inward.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many chess variations, including circular variations, all of which attempt to offer new challenges to progressive chess players. While also based on chess, the present invention is unique in its gameboard design, method of play, and method of game piece movement.

Examples of chess variants can be located under CCL/273/261 and CCL/273/260, and specifically are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,228; U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,191; U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,756; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,918,715; U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,554; D376,824.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Where chess symbolizes a conflict between two fully deployed opposing armies across a battlefield, the objective of the present invention is to symbolize the same two opposing armies in a siege scenario, with gradual deployment, and with different objectives.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a challenging alternative to chess.

The present invention utilizes a gameboard apparatus defining seven rings and sixteen columns, colored in two contrasting and alternating colors, preferably black and white, displayed in a checker pattern, and additionally having four neutral-colored spaces outside of the outer ring, and additionally having four neutral-colored spaces inside the inner ring, totalling one hundred and twenty spaces.

The present invention utilizes a method of play that includes the placement of game pieces, the sequence of turns, the movement of game pieces, and the determination of a winner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the gameboard apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the gameboard apparatus, and additionally includes numerical references for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a gameboard apparatus 10 defining one hundred and twelve spaces 25 as seven ring zones divided by sixteen column zones. The one hundred and twelve spaces 25 are colored in two contrasting and alternating colors displayed in a checker pattern. Additionally, board game apparatus 10 defines four neutral-colored declaration spaces 35 outside of the outer ring zone and four neutral-colored declaration spaces 35 inside the inner ring zone. The total number of spaces is one hundred and twenty.

Additionally, the present invention is a gameboard method that uses game pieces representing a standard set of thirty-two chess pieces. Said gameboard method starts with two players each selecting game piece color and position, followed by placing pawn game pieces onto entry spaces 45, and by placing one of the “knight” game pieces onto one of the four available neutral-colored declaration spaces 35, before start of play. The player starting on the inner ring zone goes first, with turn of play alternating between players. Players take a turn by first moving a game piece and second by declaring which of the available non-pawn game pieces will be available for the following turn and placing said game piece into one of the player's four neutral-colored declaration spaces 35. A declared game piece may be only be moved into play starting on one of the two entry spaces 45 directly in front of the neutral-colored declaration space 35 on which said declared game piece sits, provided said entry space 45 is not occupied. Players move and introduce game pieces and capture opponent's game pieces as necessary and desired within the rules of game play. Players are not required to move a declared game piece and may leave it declared indefinitely. Only a declared game piece or a game piece already in play may be played. A player may only have one declared game piece at any time. If a player does not declare a game piece, in error or not, then the previously declared game piece is still considered declared. If a player moves a declared game piece into play, but does not declare a new game piece, in error or not, then no declared game piece will be available on the following turn. A declared game piece may not be captured until after it has been moved. An occupied neutral-colored declaration space 35 is not considered blocked and may be entered by an opponent's pawns or “king” game piece. A player starting on the outer ring may only introduce non-pawn game pieces using the four neutral-colored declaration spaces 35 outside of the outer ring zone, while a player starting on the inner ring may only introduce non-pawn game pieces using the four neutral-colored declaration spaces 35 inside the inner ring zone, with the exception of the “additional queen” game piece as described below.

With regards to game piece movement, each player starts with sixteen game pieces. Nine of said sixteen game pieces start on the gameboard apparatus 10 and the remaining seven game pieces, which will need to be declared before they may be played, are placed beside the gameboard apparatus 10. Pawns move the same as in chess and as such pawn movement is not part of the above claims but is included only for clarity. Pawns may move one space straight forward per turn. Pawns may move one space diagonally forward if capturing an opponent's game piece. Pawns may move two spaces straight forward on said pawn's first move. “Rook” game pieces may move up to eight spaces straight forward, backward or sideways per turn. “Knight” game pieces move the same as in chess and as such “knight” movement is not part of the above claims but is included only for clarity. “Knight” game pieces may move two spaces straight forward, backward or sideways plus one space relatively sideways per turn. The “knight” is the only game piece that can pass over another game piece during a move. Unlike other game pieces, “knight” game pieces may start movement from the neutral-colored declaration spaces 35 so as to pass over pawns that occupy adjacent entry spaces 45. “Bishop” game pieces move the same as in chess and as such “bishop” movement is not part of the above claims but is included only for clarity. “Bishop” game pieces may move any number of spaces diagonally forward or backward per turn. Both “bishop” game pieces may use the same movement path. “Queen” game pieces move the same as in chess and as such “queen” movement is not part of the above claims but is included only for clarity. “Queen” game pieces move any number of spaces straight or diagonally forward, backward or sideways per turn. “King” game pieces move the same as in chess and as such “king” movement is not part of the above claims but included only for clarity. “King” game pieces move one spaces straight or diagonally forward, backward or sideways per turn. By moving a pawn game piece into one of the four opposing neutral-colored declaration spaces 35, a player may exchange said pawn for a game piece designated as an “additional queen” game piece. Said “additional queen” game piece is considered declared and is placed on the opponent's neutral-colored declaration space 35. Declared game pieces start movement from one of the two spaces directly in front of the neutral-colored declaration space 35. A player may capture and remove from play an opponent's game piece by moving a game piece to the same space occupied by that piece. Captured pieces are removed from the board and are out of play. When a “king” game piece is captured, it is removed from the board and returned to the opponent so that it may be played again once it has been declared. A “king” game piece may not capture the other “king” game piece. The first player to move the designated “king” game piece into one of the four opposing neutral-colored declaration spaces 35 is declared the winner. 

1. A two-dimensional gameboard apparatus defining one hundred and twelve spaces as seven ring zones divided by sixteen column zones, where said one hundred and twelve spaces are colored in two contrasting and alternating colors displayed in a checker pattern, and additionally having four neutral-colored spaces outside of the outer ring, and additionally having four neutral-colored spaces inside the inner ring, totalling one hundred and twenty spaces.
 2. A gameboard method comprising the steps of: a) providing a gameboard apparatus as described in claim 1; b) placing game pieces onto the gameboard as necessary and desired within the rules of game play; c) moving game pieces to other spaces as necessary and desired within the rules of game play; d) winning the game by moving a specific game piece into one of four specific spaces as allowed within the rules of game play. 